Australian Wildlife Journeys Australian Wildlife Journeys is a group of expert independently Introduction ......................................................................................... 3 owned and operated wildlife tourism operators, who have Operator Experiences ........................................................................... 6 joined together to raise awareness of Australia as a world class destination for authentic and sustainable encounters with Arkaba ...........................................................................................................................6 wildlife in the wild. Australian Coastal Safaris .....................................................................................8 Members of the group have a passion and commitment to Boutique Wildlife Tours....................................................................................... 10 provide in-depth information about Australia’s diverse wildlife species, and are dedicated to the conservation and regeneration Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours ................................................................... 12 of Australia’s natural heritage. Exceptional Kangaroo Island ............................................................................ 14 Central to these touring experiences is the guarantee of Exmouth Dive and Whalesharks Ningaloo ................................................. 16 knowledgeable high-quality guiding, interpretation, and FNQ Nature Tours .................................................................................................. 18 hospitality that connects visitors with nature, fosters learning and respects local communities and environments. Lords Kakadu & Arnhemland Safaris ............................................................ 20 Naturaliste Charters ............................................................................................ 22 Premier Travel Tasmania ..................................................................................... 24 SEIT Outback Australia ........................................................................................ 26 The Maria Island Walk ......................................................................................... 28 Wildlife Coast Cruises.......................................................................................... 30 Seasonal Viewing Calendars – Iconic Species ...................................32 Plan Your Trip ......................................................................................45 Signature Experiences of Australia ...................................................46 Common Wombat on Maria Island NEW SOUTH WALES 1 Boutique Wildlife Tours 11 VICTORIA 2 Echidna Walkabout Nature Tours 13 3 Wildlife Coast Cruises TASMANIA There’s nothing like 4 Premier Travel Tasmania 5 The Maria Island Walk SOUTH AUSTRALIA Australia’s wildlife 6 Arkaba 9 12 Australia’s natural beauty and unique wildlife is a major drawcard for international More than half of the world’s cetacean species: whales, dolphins and porpoises, 7 Exceptional Kangaroo visitors, and with good reason. Our country is blessed with some of the most intriguing are found in Australian waters. The world’s largest population of Humpback Whales, Island mammals within the animal kingdom, more than 80 per cent of which are found estimated to be more than 30,000 individuals, travel along the coast of Western nowhere else on Earth. Australia every year to breed in the warm waters on their migration from Antarctica. 8 Australian Coastal Safaris This is mirrored on Australia’s east coast where over 20,000 Humpback Whales make Of the 828 bird species found on our continent, around 45 per cent are only found a similar journey. here. In fact, it has recently been determined that no other continent has contributed WESTERN AUSTRALIA so greatly to the evolution of birds, with most of the world’s species having Australian We also have the most reptiles and lizards of any nation, with 869 species, 93 per cent ancestry. of which are unique to our continent. A highlight for many visitors is to spot the largest 9 Exmouth Dive and living reptile and apex predator, the Saltwater Crocodile, found in abundance in the And the life in the waters surrounding Australia is simply extraordinary. Our coral Whalesharks Ningaloo northern parts of the country. reefs include the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on earth and one of 10 Naturaliste Charters 6 the most complex ecosystems. On Australia’s west coast, the Ningaloo Marine Park is With so many species spread across stunning and diverse habitats including tropical the world’s largest extensive fringing reef, home to the graceful whale shark, and 50 rainforests, coral reefs, coastal heaths, wetlands and swamps, sandy deserts, and per cent of the Indian Ocean’s coral species. Along the southern Australian coastline, Eucalypt woodlands, it is little wonder why Australia is recognised across the globe NORTHERN TERRITORY 10 85 per cent of fish, 90 per cent of echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers) as a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise. 8 1 and 95 per cent of molluscs are considered endemic, with new species being discovered 11 Lords Kakadu and Australian Wildlife Journeys invites you to join us, let us share our knowledge with you, every day. Our oceans support over 5,000 species of fish, more than half of the shark Arnhemland Safaris 7 and help you discover why there’s nothing like Australia’s wildlife. and ray species in the world, six of the seven known species of marine turtles, and 12 SEIT Outback Australia tens of thousands of species of invertebrates. 2 QUEENSLAND 3 13 FNQ Nature Tours 4 5 4 5 Arkaba Arkaba is a five-room luxury homestead on a private wildlife conservancy in South Australia’s ancient Flinders Ranges. Here you have the privilege of exploring 60,000-acres of privately-owned and carefully protected outback in all-inclusive Wild Bush Luxury with expert field guides and a maximum of 10 guests. Rainbow Bee Eaters Yellow-footed Rock Wallaby Against the backdrop of the Elder Range and Wilpena Pound, ancient sea beds and salt lakes have given way to spectacular rock formations, cypress pines and river red gums; this is an incredibly old landscape supporting a varied population of spectacular birds. You’ll be on the lookout for Emus, Ringneck, Mulga, Red-rumped and Elegant Parrots, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Black Goshawks, Black Kites and Rufous Whistlers to name but a few. It is also one of the best locations in Australia to see macropods. The largest living marsupial, the Red Kangaroo, is in very healthy populations, as are Western Grey Kangaroos and Common Wallaroos, which are uniquely adapted to the rock out-crops of the ranges. Arkaba’s new wildlife viewing hide provides an ideal vantage point for all kinds of wildlife coming to drink. Not only a place to see, but to watch all the fascinating interactions that occur between species. The Arkaba team immerse you in the story of the land through informed field guiding, South Australian food, wine and accommodation that exudes a real sense of place. Field guides generously share not only the region’s unique wildlife but stories of early explorers, pioneer settlers and of the first Australians of the Flinders Ranges, the Adnyamathanha people. Guided walks and safari drives take an interactive and interpretative approach, incorporating identification and tracking of the rich array of species that call this staggeringly beautiful wildlife conservancy home. Featured Experience Days Departing Season Duration Max Number Red-barred Dragon Mulga Parrot Every Thu and additional The Arkaba Walk (S,P) departures on Fri during Mid Mar - Mid Oct 4 days 10 Mar, Apr, May, Aug & Sep. Three Day Safari (S,P) Daily Year round 3 days 10 Three Day Birds of Arkaba Experience (S,P) Daily Year round 3 days 10 Behind the Scenes with Researchers: Daily Year round Full day 10 Private Conservancy (S,P) S Shared Group P Private Group Available REGION: ACCESS: CONTACT: Flinders Ranges, 5 hour drive or 1.5 hour private charter +61 2 9571 6399 Outback South Australia flight from Adelaide or Regional Express [email protected] flight Adelaide (ADL) to Port Augusta (PUG) Emus Common Wallaroo Shingleback Lizard Arkaba Woolshed & 90 minute road transfer. 6 7 Australian Coastal Safaris South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula is Australia’s ultimate temperate aquatic playground, featuring striking coastlines, vast sand dunes, rugged offshore islands, secluded coves and incredible marine encounters. Great White Shark The pristine waters are a sanctuary for some of Australia’s most unique and curious marine creatures including dolphins, Giant Cuttlefish, Leafy Sea Dragons, and Southern Right Whales. The region has become renowned for offering opportunities to interact with these wild marine creatures, such as swimming with Australian Sea-lions; or cage-diving with Great White Sharks. Within the region are several national parks protecting native fauna and flora. The rugged limestone cliffs of the Eyre Peninsula are a sanctuary for Osprey and White-bellied Sea Eagles and numerous other seabirds. Venturing further inland, the region is home to distinctive rock formations, and a variety of plants and animals, including Western Grey Kangaroos, Emus, Koalas, and Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats. The Southern Eyre Peninsula alone is home to 270 species of birds and around 1,900 native plant species within a variety of habitats. Owner, David Doudle, is a fourth-generation farmer,